What generator power should I choose for a house?
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Or how to understand the technical aspects so you're never left in the dark again!
In Quebec, we are well aware of Mother Nature's whims. Power outages and unexpected disruptions are part of the seasonal reality. They can happen at any time and leave us without light and heat, for short or long periods. This is where buying a generator makes perfect sense. But with so many models available, the big question is: what generator size should I choose for my home?
At Protech Generators , we've put together a short step-by-step guide to help you understand the entire process behind selecting a generator. After all, such a significant investment deserves careful consideration!
Understanding the power of a residential generator
Before attempting to calculate the required power, it's important to understand the terminology. Electrical power is generally expressed in watts (W) or kilowatts (kW). We often refer to two types of power:
- Operating power (or rated power): The continuous power that a device needs to operate.
- Starting power (or peak power): The additional and temporary power required by some devices (such as refrigerator or pump motors) to start.
An inventory of your needs is the basis for a good calculation.
To determine the size of your future generator, the first step is to list all the devices and systems you want to use simultaneously during a power outage. Focus on the essentials:
- Heating system (furnace, heat pump)
- Refrigerator and freezer
- Lighting
- Water pump (if you are not on a municipal service)
- Kitchen appliances (microwave, coffee maker)
- Electronics (television, computer, Wi-Fi modem)
Once your list is established, you will need to find the rated power and starting power of each of the devices on it; these are usually indicated on the device label or inside the user manual.
The crucial step: calculating the total power required
Once you have all the figures, calculate your total energy power requirement as follows:
- Identify the device with the highest starting power.
- Add together the total power ratings of all the devices you want to use at the same time.
- Add the highest starting power to the total of the rated powers you just calculated.
The result gives you the minimum number of watts (W) or kilowatts your generator must have. We always advise adding a safety margin of 10 to 20%, a good practice to anticipate potential additional needs or unforeseen circumstances.
Practical example:
- Refrigerator: 700 W nominal / 2200 W start-up
- Television: 100 W nominal
- LED bulb: 10W nominal
- Phone charger: 20W nominal
If you want to operate the refrigerator, television, light bulb, and charger simultaneously:
- Highest starting power (refrigerator): 2200 W
- Total nominal power (excluding the refrigerator): 700 + 100 + 10 + 20 = 830 W
- Minimum power required: 830 W + 2200 W = 3030 W.
In this case, a generator of at least 3.5 kW (3500 W) would be an appropriate choice, allowing for a safety margin.
Discuss your needs with our experts
Professional expertise: a safe and reliable choice
Calculating the required power output is an important step in choosing your generator, so we recommend, as a precaution, verifying your estimate with professionals in the field. Even if our guide has helped you understand the technical aspects behind residential generator power, some subtleties may easily escape your notice.
Don't forget that generator sales and installation companies such as Protech Generators also offer significant additional services, such as annual preventative maintenance , in addition to taking care of everything from assessing your needs to turnkey installation.
Don't let power outages catch you off guard. Throughout the North Shore, from Lanaudière to the Laurentians, the Protech Generators team is here to answer all your questions and guide you toward the ideal generator power. Contact us today for a free quote!